1 dead in accident at Manistique mill

Forklift causes fatal injuries to employee

MANISTIQUE – A forklift accident at Manistique Papers resulted in the death of one employee early Wednesday morning, according to local public safety officials. Debbie L. Carlson, 53, of Manistique was the only employee involved in the accident.

At approximately 1:28 a.m., public safety officers responded to a report of a forklift accident at the paper mill, located at 453 South Mackinac St., according to a press release from Manistique Public Safety Director Ken Golat. Upon arriving on the scene, officers determined that Carlson had sustained fatal injuries. The victim was then transported via Manistique Public Safety ambulance to Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital and, eventually, to Messier-Broullire Funeral Home in Manistique.

An on-scene investigation conducted by officers concluded that Carlson had been operating the forklift to move paper bales in the outside storage area of the mill. During this process, the forklift rolled on its side, subsequently falling atop Carlson and killing her instantaneously, the release stated.